National Distinction

Objective D1.1. Nurture a culture of professional excellence to drive institutional vitality and the attraction and retention of top talent across all university functions.

• Action D1.1.1. Align recruitment, compensation packages and workload expectations with the standards of leading public research universities to fuel the institutional capacity needed to achieve national prominence.
• Action D1.1.2. Embed faculty and staff well-being into the fabric of university policies, practices and leadership priorities.
• Action D 1.1.3. Streamline institutional agility and professional sustainability by simplifying policies, governance and administrative systems to boost transparency and further enhance operational efficiency.
• Action D.1.1.4. Empower academic leadership and supervisory and administrative excellence through targeted training and development to support the growth of faculty and staff.

Objective D1.2. Equip our entire campus community to excel in delivering world-class education, transformative research and the essential services that sustain them.

• Action D1.2.1. Bolster faculty and staff success through strategic hiring, clear career pathways and comprehensive mentorship for evidence-based teaching and collaborative research.
• Action D1.2.2. Accelerate digital transformation through a unified enterprise platform and data strategy to eliminate fragmented systems and provide a seamless experience for students, faculty and staff.
• Action D1.2.3. Equip educators to deliver career-oriented learning by incorporating global engagement, innovative thinking and emerging technologies into curricula.
• Action D1.2.4. Incorporate the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and advanced digital fluencies into research and teaching workflows, university operations and administration and curricula.

Objective D1.3. Unite the university community with a supportive campus environment based on mutual support and shared success.

• Action D1.3.1. Extend mentorship networks and cross-unit communities to strengthen relationships and eliminate silos across roles, departments and divisions.
• Action D1.3.2. Reinforce Charlotte’s identity through shared traditions and engagement in athletics, bands, performance groups, the arts, the Botanical Gardens and cultural activities that foster pride and community.
• Action D1.3.3. Engage Charlotte community members and partners to achieve regional sustainability success outcomes collaboratively.
• Action D1.3.4. Enrich the full-week campus experience by enhancing housing, dining, amenities, activities, safety, engagement and belonging.

Objective D1.4. Celebrate the contributions and vitality of the people who power Charlotte’s mission.

• Action D1.4.1. Expand the recognition of faculty, staff and student excellence through awards, high-profile recognition events and external communications that honor them.
• Action D1.4.2. Publicize nominations and increase visibility for prestigious external awards, honors and leadership roles that elevate Charlotte’s reputation.

Objective D2.1. Catalyze Charlotte’s rise to the top levels of recognized excellence through the strategic expansion of signature programs.

• Action D2.1.1. Achieve national recognition for signature academic programs and research centers by recruiting top talent and empowering faculty leaders for world-class research and creative excellence.
• Action D2.1.2. Invest in the infrastructure and resources necessary to enhance excellence in research and teaching across both established and emerging research centers.

Objective D2.2.Build long-term preeminence by elevating academic programs and research centers to national distinction in frontier fields.

• Action D2.2.1. Build high-impact centers that drive leadership in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies and foster transformative innovation with strong ethical foundations.
• Action D2.2.2. Design and steward interdisciplinary, innovation-driven programs that accelerate new discoveries addressing complex societal and industrial needs.

Objective D3.1. Ignite lifelong alumni pride, sense of belonging and sustained connection to Charlotte.

• Action D3.1.1. Promote traditions that foster lifelong affinity and commitment.
• Action D3.1.2. Expand and solidify alumni networks to enhance career mobility, student-to-professional transitions and institutional loyalty through affinity groups, regional hubs and peer-to-peer connections.

Objective D3.2. Empower alumni as advocates, mentors and investors in Charlotte’s success.

• Action D3.2.1. Link alumni with students through mentoring, internships, career pathways and experiential partnerships.
• Action D3.2.2. Mobilize alumni as visible ambassadors who boost Charlotte’s reputation through advocacy, philanthropy and participation.

Objective D4.1. Increase external awareness, preference and confidence for Charlotte.

• Action D4.1.1. Magnify Charlotte’s presence and performance in high-credibility external arenas, including media, national rankings and peer comparisons.
• Action D4.1.2. Invigorate digital engagement, branding and messaging to align with how audiences search for, evaluate and engage with institutions.
• Action D4.1.3. Enlist institutional leaders, alumni and partners as visible advocates who expand Charlotte’s reach and influence.

Objective D4.2. Fuel institutional distinction through bold, strategic philanthropic investments.

• Action D4.2.1. Secure transformational gifts and endowments that build long-term institutional capacity in alignment with the University’s mission.
• Action D4.2.2. Grow and broaden the donor base to accelerate support for research and creative excellence, student achievement and the institutional resources that empower faculty and staff.

Objective D4.3. Position Charlotte as a vibrant destination that boosts community pride and attracts external engagement.

• Action D4.3.1. Feature athletics, arts, culture, library, Botanical Gardens and other iconic campus spaces as ways to express Charlotte’s identity and community pride.
• Action D4.3.2. Host conferences, gatherings and major events that draw large audiences and support the faculty and staff who organize them on campus.
• Action D4.3.3. Collaborate with national, international and Olympic sports organizations to host elite events that increase Charlotte’s visibility.

¹³ Public National University is a designation signifying a university’s placement within the premier tier of American higher education, specifically defined by the U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 50 Public National Universities” ranking. This metric evaluates institutional performance across key indicators of student success, faculty resources, research excellence and peer reputation. U.S. News & World Report. (2025). Best National University Rankings. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/public